Air tester



March 22, 1932. L. 1.. JONES 1,850,208

AIR TESTER Filed Feb. 2. 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR K 4/ Y ZM M1. ATTORNEY March 22, 1932. L. JONES 1,850,208

' AIR TESTER Filed Feb. 2. 1927 ssheets-sheet 2 xzfnummymon L. L. JONES AIR TESTER March 22, 1932.

Filed Feb. 2. 195'? s Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR 0% M W I 641W w W ATTORN Y&

L. L JONES March 22, 1932.

AIR TESTER Filed Feb. 2. 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 WV? M d. 07W TTORNEYS March 22, 1932. L. L. JONES 1,350,208

AIR TESTER Filed Feb. 2. 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVEN w lqF RtlEvs 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 45 X l A l fi m 4444 7 ATTORNE:

AIR TESTER Filed Feb. 2. 1927 L. L JONES March 22, 1932.

Patented Mar. 22, 1932 1,s50, zos- UNITED: STATES PATENT? err-[cs LYIEAN I. J ONES, OF SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN CAN COMPANY OF NEW YORK,"1-I. YQA CORPORATION OF NEW. JERSEY am TESTER Application filed February 2, 1927. SerialNo. 165,296.

machines receive the causes they arrive in processlonal order and after temporarily j scaling the open ends inject air under pressure. The cans subjected to this internal air pressure are carried throughou-ta. predeter mined path of travel and the perfection of the seams determined by-the .maintenance v of the pressure of air within the can. ,When the air pressure is diminished while the cans are thus sealed, the cans are consideredim- 1perfect and are sorted from the perfect cans devices automatically ,controlled by the p condition of the cans themselves.

Generally in the past, the-detecting and separating control has required that a uni? Iorm air pressure be employed, the detectors usually operating because of a fall from an absolute and. predetermined. pressure For example, assuming that the-pressure applied to a can is 20 pounds, theitolera-nce usually allowed is merely an ounce or two, andsany less pressure registered bythedevices results in the removal of the can'from the usualsub sequent line of feed. If, however, the pres sure applied to the cans be less than that allowed by this tolerance,-a=l l of the cans having this lesser pressure will be thrown out, and if there be more than the 20 pounds pressure applied the leaks are not detected.

My invention contemplatesyand has forits principal object, the provisionof *a detector or can tester control device which will 'ope'rate on pressure differences "as contradis- The invention has for a. further object the provision of a can tester and a detector therefor which will, operate as Well. atlow' presl: sures as at high pressures,and without retinguished from a departure from an 'absolute and predetermined pressure cond1t1on.-

,c uiring special adjustment of the parts for the purpose. a

Another importantv object ofthe invention is the provision of a device of this character consisting of few and simple parts unlikely to require frequent repair, replacement or adjustment, andwhich in every way will be capable of accurate use under commercial conditions.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description,

which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embo'dlment thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure l is a side elevation of a can testing apparatus m which my present invention is embodied;

Fig. .2 is a similar view taken from the oppositeside of the apparatus; a 7

Fig.8 is an enlarged elevation of a can testing unit, a portion of the rotating-disc eing shown in section;

Fig; 4 is a view partially in section through adetector control and valve; I

lugs. 5, 6 and 7 are enlarged sections through the contact cap, showing the parts in various relations;

Fig. 8 1s a section taken substantially on the line 88 of Fi-gel2;

Fig.7 9 is a detail view of the detector con-- trol parts being shown in section;

F g. 10 is a top plan view thereof;

Fig. 11 is an enlargedtop'plan viewof the same, with the insulating'ca'p removed;

Fig. 12 is a section taken substantially on the line 1212 of Fig. '8; and

Fig. 13 is a section taken substantially on the line 13l3 of Fig.12. Y

Reference character indicates a base of a usual commercial can tester supported upon legs 21 and carrying uprights '22 having bearings 23 for the cross-shaft 2,4 of the can tester disc 29, which is driven in any, usual or preferred fashion, the driving mechanism not being shown on the drawings. upright frame 25 is connected by cross bars 26 with the uprights 24: and provides sup port for the can receiving chute 2? and delivering mechanism 28.

The disc 29 is provided with a number of bosses 32 Figs. 8, l and 8), upon which are mounted can tester pockets. Each boss 82 is perforated centrally and a valve stem 33 of a valve and control 3 L extends tl'ierethrough and engages a head plate 3? recessed at 38 to receive a cushioning member 39 (Fig. 8), preferably pneumatic, against which the open end of the can body is thrust. The bottom end 31 of this body is engaged by a clamp plate Q0 carried by a threaded stein 4&1 (Fig. 3) in turn engaged with an arm 42 of the sleeve #13 slid-ably mounted upon hollow shaft a l fastened in a double bearing 45 through the disc 29.

A body holder 126 is 21lS0'1I1OL1116Qd on the sleeve 43 and extends into position to hold the can body 30 when it is thrust into the testing apparatus and until it is clamped in place. The sleeve has an arm 1 iv ted at 125 to a link 124, in turn pivoted at 123 to a longitudinal sliding bar 121 movable in a boss 122 on the disc and carrying at its one a roller 120 arranged in a cam guideway 119.

Air is admitted to the can shortly after it is clamped in position from a central air admission and shuto'll device 511 located adjacent the center of the disc, which control is suitably ported and receives air under pressure through a conduit 52 and del vers the exhaust back through a conduit 53. Pipes communicate with the valves 34, a said pipe and valve being provided at each can testing pocket. i

The valve an comprises a body 47 (Fig. 8 having air ducts and 67' leading, respectively, into the valve housing and through the stem into the can. The pipe 50 is connected to the valve housing by a short pipe 18 and elbow 49 (Fig. 10).

A detector or can control is provided for each pocket and this is threaded into a recess 54 in the top of the housing L7. The detector comprises a flange 56 threaded into the recess and engaging upon the upper side of a diaphragm 57, the other side of which is in contact with the bottom of the recess. An opening, 66 forms communication between the recess and the duct 67 and through the duct with the interior of the cam 30.

A sleeve or hollow housing 55 extends up from the flange 56 and accommodates a spring 61 bearing against a flange 62 at the upper end of the housing 55 and upon a washer 63 at the diaphragm, said washer encircling the end of a stem 59 which passes through the diaphragm and is engaged by a nut 60.

A cap 7 4 of electrically non-conducting or insulating material is screwed on the upper end of the sleeve 55 and carries at its top a fixed electrical contact 75. WVhen air is admitted to the interiorof the can, the diaphragm is pressed upwardly correspondingly against the force of the spring 61, and the stem 59 of the diaphragm is provided with movable contacts of special construction and arrangement at its upper end. The

upper end of the stem is in the form of a plate 67 in which two converging grooves 68 of tapered form are provided (see Figs. 5 to 11). Two slide electrical contacts 69 are mounted in these grooves and these are held in friction engagement therewith by an anchor plate 70, which is pressed against them by a spring 72 (Fig. 11) about a bolt 71 extending through the head 67 of the stem and engaged by a nut 7 3.

The slide contacts are of such length that when no air is present at the diaphragm, the lower ends are engaged by the flange 62 of the housing 55, thus arranging the slide contacts in initial predetermined position. WVhen pressure is admitted to a can held in the pocketfithe diaphragm is raised and the two slide contacts thrust into engagement with the fixed contact 75. This engagement moves the contacts along their slideways 68, arranging them in the slidewavs in accordance with the degree of deflection of the dia phragm, in turn in accordance with the force of the pressure. The diaphragm is, of course, pressed from its seat until the pressurein the can is in balanced relation to the force of the spring 61, and any diminution of the pressure thereafter results in a corre-v sponding return movement of the diaphragm.

Since the slide contacts 69 are frictionally held in the stem head, they move with the diaphragm in this movement and are instantly disengaged from the contact 7 This disengagement is, therefore, independent of the departure from an absolute degree of pressure Within the can and wholly dependent upon the variation after a predetermined relation is assumed commensurate with the initial pressure. Furthermore, since the friction on the slide contacts 69 must be overcome before the said contacts move in their slideways 68, a fine adjustment for a predetermined size of leak can be made by adjusting this friction on the contacts by turnmg or movin the bolt 71 and thus changing the tension o? the spring 72-.

Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate the effect upon the sliding contacts and different pressures in the can; and

Fig. 6 shows an arrangement of slide contacts for apressure in the can greater than that provided in the arrangement shown in Fi 5.

' X control plate 76 (Figs. 8, 12 and 13) is arranged upon a cross piece 26 and carries an electric contact plate 77 secured thereto as follows: An insulating plate 78 is fixed 011 the control plate 7 6 and a shoulder bolt 79 extends through a bushing 80 therein. This bolt isengaged with one end of the contact plate 77, and a spring 81- -presses the plate away from the insulation. 1 An electric wire is connected to this plate 77. As each can to Fig. 12;

The slide contacts are grounded at89 ig. 12). The wire 90leads from contact 77. to a battery 91, and from this wire 92 connects to 3 a solenoid 93 in turn groundediat .94.. This magnet is provided with an armature adapted to control the delivery ofthe cans in accord ance with their; condition. This is accom- 'plished by the arrangement of a delivery gate control member provided ateach can pocket.

.of its attendant advantages will be under- 7 The shaft 44 associated with each can pocket is hollow and a rod 82 is arranged through it and'extends out from each end thereof. This rod is provided with two lock grooves 86 and 87, into either of which a lock plunger 83 is frictionally pressed by a spring 84: in a cap 85. Each rod 82 is arranged'before it arrives adjacent the plate or arm 7 6 delivery chutes 117 and 115. A

with the lock plunger 83 in the groove 87 this being accomplished by a suitable cam 88 on the upright 22. Thus arranged, the adjacent end of the rod is adapted for engagement by a shifting member 96 of the plate 76 when a leaky can is contained in the pocket. This shifting member is pivoted at and has a rounded head 97, which is pressed into the path of the end of the rod 82 by a plunger 100 arranged in an opening 101 in theplate 76 and pressed out by a spring 101. When a perfect can is present ina pocket, the end of the rod may freely depress the plunger against the force of the spring. An obstruction 108 normally is interposed in the path of a shoulder 102 on the deflector member 96/ ,tion of a can carrier, means supplying air' and this obstruction is withdrawn only when a perfect can is in the pocket passing this station. When, however, a leaky can passes the obstruction remains in operative position, and the rod is thrust to the right (viewing Fig.

18) moving into the position there disclosed with the lock plunger 83 in the groove 86. If the circuit is completed to the electromagnet by the presence of a perfect can, the ob,-

struction 103 pivoted at 104 is moved outfrom under the shoulder 102 on the deflector member, permitting the depression of the deflector member 96.

The lever 103 is normally held in obstructing position by an armature stem 105 about which is arranged spring 107 (see F ig. 12) and completion of the circuit by the maintenance of contacts engagement in the control Withdraws the obstruction.

The delivery mechanism 28 comprises two pivoted at 113v and normally formsacontinnation of thefloor 116 and chute 117, which gate inits normal position closes chute 11 5.

An arml12is fixed on the pivot 113 of the gate 114, and this arm is connected by link llli-with a swingingarm pivoted at 109 onabar 26.. A spring 118, pulling upon the arm 110, holds the gate 114 to maintain the ;chute@117. in normally open relation, i. e. in

position for the reception of a perfect can.

When, however, an imperfect can arrives at the delivery pointwith the rod 82 thrust out in the position shown in Fig. 13, it engagesa cam 108 rigid with the arm 1l0, and

moves this cam in a'clockwise directioi mas" shown in Fig. 2, swingingthearm ll0 correspondingly and lifting the gate to openthe mouth intothe chute115 for the defective can. V 1

It is thought that the invention and manyi stood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without'departing from ence in pressure occasionedby leaks throughouta predetermined path of .travel comprising an element which is moved by the pressure of air within the can, means controlled by the movement ofsaid element for variously delivering leaking and non-leaking cans,

andmeans whereby said element of the detector is readjusted, upon release of said air pressurein the can.

2. In a pneumatic can tester, the comblnaunder. pressurerto 'theinterior of the can when sealing the. same, a detector communieating wit-lithe interior of the can and havv.ing a diaphragm and parts moved by said diaphragm and relative to said diaphragm and brought .to an initial reference position by the air pressure in the can and independently of the amount of said pressure, said detector parts beingmovable from said initial reference position upon diminution offlthe pressure inthe can through leakage, and devices controlled by the movement of said .parts for variously-delivering leaking, and

non-leaking cans.

3. In a pneumatic can tester, the combinationof a. can carrier, means supplying air cunderipressure to the interior ,of the can when sealing the same, a detector communi- 'fining air under pressure in cans carried in ,sa dcarr eraand a device detecting differeating withthe interiorof the can and having 7 gate 114 is parts brought to an initial reference posn able contacts disengaging said fixed contact tion by the air pressure in the can and independently of absolute amount of said pressure, said detector parts being movable from cordance with the degree of-air pressure ap plied within the can and changes thereof, fixed and movable electric contacts, a connection between the movable contacts and said diaphragm adapted to bring said movable contacts into engagement with the fixed contact upon initial pressure in the can, said connection automatically altering its rela tion with respect to the-movable contacts in accordance with the initial pressure in the can, and moving said contacts thereafter out of engagement with the fixed contact upon diminution of pressure within the can.

5. A'control for a pneumatic can tester, comprising a diaphragm, a fixed electrical contact, movable contacts having a predetermined inoperative position and a predetermined path of movement therefrom into engagement'with said fixed contact and actuated by said diaphragm into engagement with said fixed contact upon the application of initialpressure within the can, said movupon movement of the diaphragm upon diminution of pressure in the can.

6. A control for a pneumatic can tester, comprising a diaphragm adapted to be deflected by the pressure applied in the can, a'

8. A control: for a pneumatic can tester, comprising, a diaphragm subjected to the pressure in the can, a fixed electrical contact, a movable electrical contact controlled by said diaphragm and assuming a predetermined can testing relation therewith when air pressure is first admitted to the can and in engagement with the fixed contacts, the relation between said movable contact and said diaphragm being thereafter fixed to cause separation of said movable and fixed contacts upon diminution of pressure in the can.

9. A control for a pneumatic can tester, comprising a diaphragm chamber open to the pressure applied to the can, a diaphragm therein, a stem engaging said diaphragm and extending outwardly therefrom, a housing surrounding said stem, a head on said stem,

sliding moving contact members in said head,

a fixed contact in the end of said housing against which said movable contacts are en gaged, said fixed contacts sliding said movable contact to a predetermined can testing position, said movable contacts separating from said fixed contact upon initial moveh ment of the diaphragm as a result of diminution oi pressure in the can.

LYMAN L. JONES.

fixed electrical contact a stem carried by the diaphragm and movable toward said fixed contact as the diaphragm moves when pressure is applied to the can, and movable contacts carried by said stem and arrangeable thereupon in accordance with the pressure in the can and in engagement with the fixed contact, said stem and movable contacts moving together with the diaphragm away from said fixed contact upon diminution of the pressure in the can.

7. A control for a pneumatic can tester,

comprising a diaphragm with a face of which the interior of the can may communicate, a fixed electrical contact, movable electrical' contacts associated with said diaphragm and automatically arrangeable in relation thereto in accordance with the pressurecin the can and moving with said diaphragm upon diminution of pressure in the can and out of contact with said fixed contact, and means whereby saidzmovable electric contacts are adjusted in position relative to the diaphragm. 

